Got out this morning for a short 20 minute ride. Managed to get in four little wind sprints. A little painful on the lungs with the cool AM air, but it felt really good to get out on the bike. I’m going to have to start getting up a little earlier so I can make it all the way to Point Richmond and find some hills to climb. If I could get in 2-3 hour long rides during the week, I think my fitness would increase in leaps and bounds.
I did have to carry my garage door opener with me which was a little strange. I bought a wireless keypad. I just haven’t installed it yet. It’s one of my projects for the weekend.

Got back on the bike for the first time since early December and, man, am I paying for my lack of fitness. Had roughly the same trip as last year, except it was a whoel mile per hour slower. I am weak, weak, weak. And the thing is after last year’s struggles with fitness recovery, I told myself I wouldn’t let it happen again. I just couldn’t help it. Persistent pain in my right knee forced a hiatus from the bike. While I’m happy to report that I suffered no knee pain on the ride, I don’t know if it’s because the knee is better or ifI was just going so slowly, it wasn’t affected.
When I review the climbing segments on Strava, Fairmont, Redwood Road from the Golf Course, and Redwood Road from Pinehurst, I was slower than results from 2 and 3 years ago. To be fair those times are probably from the middle of the season when I was at the peak of my fitness and I should get back there, but it’s frustrating.
I know it’s going to be a long, slow process to get back where I want to be and stay there. I need to lose about 10 pounds, which I hope to do by the start of April and I need to spend some serious time on the bike, time which I don’t really have right now. At the very least I need to get the trainer set up in the garage so I can train at night. No more excuses.Miles: 37.80 miRide Time: 3:01:23MPH: 12.6 mphMax Speed: 38.4 mphElevation Gain: 2,532 ftFlats: 0
More photos on Flickr.
More detailed ride stats here: